Minnesota's Greatest Generation

Meet Art Seaman. He served in the Marine Corp during the war, and was stationed in Hawaii -- he and a high school buddy requested a recreation run up the mountain to Waihaiwa on Saturday nights where they had found the only (outdoor) ice rink in Hawaii. While half of the GIs on the bus swilled at the local bar, the rest of them donned ice skates and skated for a few hours, ending the evening with a few games of pick-up hockey. By the time the games began, the ice was melted and the surface held at least an inch of water. Needless to say, they were soaking wet by the time the games ended -- much to the amusement of the natives -- who would sooner watch than participate.

He came back to the states and at the final National races held during the 1947 St. Paul Winter Carnival, he qualified to compete at the 1948 Olympics in St. Moritz Switzerland. He traveled to Europe as a member of the U.S. speed skating team -- three of his seven teammates were from Minneapolis.

He dances three times a week at the local Moose Lodge and twice on the weekends at the VFW. He skates Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Blaine Ice Arena and on Sundays at Aldrich Arena. He is always on the move -- preferring to dance or to skate above all else. He is shown here at the dedication of the WWII Veteran's Memorial in St. Paul, Minnesota in early June.

Not being the sentimental type, he went to the dedication because it was the right thing to do. Because he's been a member of the VFW since he was 19. Loyal and true.

Semper Fidelis.